Hero was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Shortly after the turn of the century it commenced its international expansion with its first subsidiaries in Spain, the Netherlands and Italy. In the 1980s and 1990s the Group pursued a number of strategies to diversify its portfolio, the latest being a strong investment in private-label business. In 1995 Dr. Arend Oetker acquired a majority shareholding in Hero and re-positioned the group to focus on branded business. At the same time, the “Baking Aids” business was developed as a new segment. Business segments that no longer fit this brand-based strategy –fruit juices, carbonated drinks, industrial products etc. – were divested one by one. Core categories were strengthened through new business acquisitions. In parallel, the Group embarked on a major geographic expansion programme. Prior to 1995 Hero was present with its own organization in just five countries (Germany, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy) and has, since then, established its presence in the UK, France, Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey/Central Asia, Egypt/North Africa, Saudi Arabia/Middle East, USA and Japan. Since 2003, Hero has been in private ownership. It is positioned as a branded food producer focusing on fruit spreads, baby food and cereal products. It is active in more than 30 countries and employs more than 3500 people. In 2017 Hero achieved a turnover of 1.28 million Swiss francs.
Hero was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. Shortly after the turn of the century it commenced its international expansion with its first subsidiaries in Spain, the Ne ...
therlands and Italy. In the 1980s and 1990s the Group pursued a number of strategies to diversify its portfolio, the latest being a strong investment in private-label business. In 1995 Dr. Arend Oetker acquired a majority shareholding in Hero and re-positioned the group to focus on branded business. At the same time, the “Baking Aids” business was developed as a new segment. Business segments that no longer fit this brand-based strategy –fruit juices, carbonated drinks, industrial products etc. – were divested one by one. Core categories were strengthened through new business acquisitions. In parallel, the Group embarked on a major geographic expansion programme. Prior to 1995 Hero was present with its own organization in just five countries (Germany, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy) and has, since then, established its presence in the UK, France, Portugal, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey/Central Asia, Egypt/North Africa, Saudi Arabia/Middle East, USA and Japan. Since 2003, Hero has been in private ownership. It is positioned as a branded food producer focusing on fruit spreads, baby food and cereal products. It is active in more than 30 countries and employs more than 3500 people. In 2017 Hero achieved a turnover of 1.28 million Swiss francs.
